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Turn A Glitch into a Popped Kernel

5/22/2012

14 Comments

 
"Focus on the journey, not the destination.  Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it. " -Greg Anderson American Athlete

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Glenn in the Amphitheater
This past weekend my husband was invited to perform at a French Chateau in Pennsylvania as a featured artist.  So, we dropped the kids off with my parents and went on a little adventure.  Now I know I'm his wife so I'm a little biased, but my husband Glenn is one of the best musicians I have ever seen.  He is a skilled drummer, piano player, performer, and most importantly, Glenn plays with his heart and soul.  It is beautiful to watch, so of course, I went along for the ride..

Glenn began his performance in a huge amphitheater with blazing bon fires outlining the outskirts of the stage.  Ridiculously amazing!  Sound check had been checked, his musical gadgets were all working and he was ready to make some beautiful music at this grand chateau.  Within the first five minutes though, Glenn's microphone had a glitch, then his hand sonic drums hiccuped, his amp started to crackle and the sound started to waver.  I sat in the front row holding my breath and wanting desperately to save him.  I wanted to pull the curtains closed and send everyone home with a "sorry, but we're having technical difficulties."  We were in an open amphitheater though.........no curtains to pull and nowhere to hide.  In a sense, Glenn was naked out there.   


I had already deemed the whole thing a wash and a failed performance in my head.  But as the glitches kept happening, I saw my husband release them with a breath.  I witnessed him calmly take a left instead of a right without a moments hesitation.  And as he took a sharp turn and strayed from his own road map, he still continued to play with his heart and his soul.  I know every single person in that audience felt the strength of Glenn's ability to detach and move on.  He didn't wither away, he didn't falter.......he moved forward.   

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Glenn rockin' out!
As I witnessed my incredible husband's ability to control the uncontrollable, I realized that most of us live our lives strategically planning our own outcomes. We attach ourselves to the guided road map so much so, that when the 'plan' doesn't pan out, failure is the automatic outcome.  That's where I had gone in those first five minutes of my husband's performance, and unfortunately, that's usually how it all boils down for me.  I don't stray......I tread water until I drown.

And Glenn certainly did not drown.  What came out of Glenn's performance was magical.  Really.  As the bon fire smoke gently caressed his face in the moonlight, the sound of his djembe drums softly enveloped the night.  There was a stillness as the audience waited eagerly for his next move.  Listening intently, then clapping their hands, tapping their toes until everyone had a tamborine, a shaker and a drum stick in their hands.  

Those glitches and hiccups created a different journey for Glenn.  He couldn't rely on his usual routine and so his organic and stripped down performance reached the audience on a different level.  They listened harder, felt more and allowed themselves to stray from the road map.  Ultimately, Glenn's performance took the audience on a journey that gave them a chance to find their own heart and soul.

As one audience member later said, "you were a kernel of popcorn when you performed. It was exciting to see you pop."  Yes, there is truth to that statement because watching Glenn was unpredictable, exciting, inspiring and also very motivating.  He started to play with a simmer, dialed up the heat until inevitably, the kernel popped for all of us.   

So when you throw your noodles on the wall, be flexible with the outcome.  Enjoy the journey, take a left if need be and release the glitches.  Because you never know what can come out of a glitch........maybe a popped kernel:)         

comment or email me at elena@noodlesonthewall.com  

14 Comments
Lisa Larson-Kelley link
5/22/2012 02:59:15 am

Elena,
You brought tears to my eyes with this one. Thank you for energetically bringing me to that amphitheater, letting me experience Glenn's flow... we are all simmering and dancing, the POP is coming!!!

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Elena link
5/22/2012 03:19:06 am

Thanks Lisa! Glenn is truly inspiring.....he's not hard to talk about :)

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Tom
5/22/2012 07:19:47 am

tears here too. I loved that you used the term "stripped down" because in that setting, with the electronics malfunctioning, the only thing left is his essence. And thats what those people in the amphitheater got. The essence of a Great entertainer, a Great Creator, and a Great Man. I heard the ending was ridiculously profound. You two are really elevating the world around you. Keep it up.

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Elena link
5/22/2012 10:33:32 pm

That was beautiful Tom. Thanks.

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Ellen Schloss
5/22/2012 08:15:00 am

What can I say! Every parent should be lucky enough to see their children find their soul mates. You and Glenn epitomize all the good in this world. You think and act as one. When you enter a room, you bring joy and love. You are both on the road to greatness!!!

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Elena link
5/22/2012 10:34:59 pm

Mom, we are lucky to have a good teacher like you.

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Shakun
5/22/2012 08:39:54 am

I LOVE this!! That is SO Glenn. Both of you are inspiring. I only wish there was video of his triumph. Please tell him I said "Keep popping!"

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Elena link
5/22/2012 10:36:19 pm

Shakun, thanks so much! Glenn's performance will be in a documentary called Evolve The Conversation. It's fantastic! I'll let you know when it comes out.

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Shakun
5/23/2012 11:37:51 am

Yes, please! Congrats all around! Can't wait to see it xoxo

Joy
5/22/2012 11:43:35 am

Looooved reading this and truly felt like I was right there with you. Glenn is unstoppable and the ultimate ad lib performer. Deb and Steve's 40th birthday bash comes to mind!:) And Elena, I'm sure it helped immensely to have your positive energy flowing his way... but really, if you were a bigger person you could have passed out from anxiety--diverted attention--allowing Glenn to get the hell off that stage and bolting for the car. You'll know for next time. xx

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Elena link
5/22/2012 10:37:56 pm

Joy, that is brilliant! Why didn't I think of it first! Thank goodness I have you around for these disaster avoiding tips. Next time for sure.

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Debra
5/22/2012 12:16:01 pm

You are both truly amazing!!! I can learn a lot from you and Glenn :) love you guys.

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Elena link
5/22/2012 10:38:28 pm

Love you Deb!

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Lisa Yaeger link
5/30/2012 12:26:46 am

Ah love this post! So true and inspiring. And definitely not surprised Glenn "popped" he is pretty amazing!

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    Elena Melener
    Welcome to the Noodles On The Wall Blog, a place where I share the trials and tribulations of a creative noodle maker. (That's me!) My life is full of noodles and I've learned it takes a dash of inspiration and a pinch of creativity to throw them up on the wall to see if they stick. Hope you stick around!

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